So my Saitek X-55 TQS is giving up the ghost, bit by bit.

First, the thumb rotaries started sending spurious input whenever I pull the collective up (throttle back). Since I had this mapped to throttle, this resulted in the throttle bottoming out as I pulled the collective for take-off. Needless to say, did not make for great take-offs! Now I have unmapped it. Still sends spurious inputs, but it is all being ignored.

Then, sporadic button failures.

Then, sporadic spurious key-presses. All unmapped (now), but still ...

I figure it is just a matter of time before I lose the main axis. Plus I'm running out of working/mappable buttons!

So, I am looking for alternatives. I cannot afford the $700+ specialized collectives from, e.g. Komodo. I know VKB might be coming out with a TQS sometime in the 21st century, but that's still a pipe dream.

I was wondering if the TM TWCS throttle:

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-TWCS-Throttle-Controller-2960754/dp/B01L28LVUG

might be an economical alternative until VKB or one of the "artisan" control makers (MFG, Bauer, etc.) put out a throttle?

Any experiences, opinions, or thoughts?

What's your budget look like? Could you do this:

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog-Throttles-Control/dp/B00T5X3Z2S/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1485436098&sr=1-1&keywords=warthog+throttle

(A/229) Dabomb wrote:What's your budget look like?  Could you do this:

https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Hotas-Warthog-Throttles-Control/dp/B00T5X3Z2S/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1485436098&sr=1-1&keywords=warthog+throttle

I would rather not go that high because I would rather save for a future VKB/Bauer/MFG whenever those become available, and saw see this as a temporary expedient. The VKB/Bauer/MFG product release is vague, indeterminate, and unsure, though, and might be a couple of years away, so at the same time would like something precise enough to work as a collective (if not ultra-durable).